What's On in Suffolk

Welcome to the EssentialSuffolk guide to What's On in Suffolk in the coming month. Scroll down to see events by date order.

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LONG SHOP MUSEUM: Deck the halls...

This year the Long Shop will be hosting a Victorian themed event on Saturday, 1st December 2018 in the historic Long Shop with its incredible acoustics and amazing Victorian atmosphere. The evening will commence with an abridged version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, recited by Anthony Roberts – Director of the Colchester Arts Centre with piano by Jamie Cunliffe. Follow Scrooge as he is visited by a series of ghosts one cold, dark, snowy Christmas Eve, starting with his old business partner, Jacob Marley. The three spirits which follow show Scrooge how his mean behaviour has affected those around him. At the end of the story he is relieved to discover that there is still time for him to change. After an interval for some warming festive refreshments, we really get Christmas underway with a rousing sing-­a-­long. We are delighted to welcome the New Song Community Choir from Ipswich. Since forming in 2014 they have performed at various events in and around Ipswich, most notably at their annual summer concert with regular performances at volunteer events for local charities and hospices, as well as Christmas concerts in Ipswich and Woodbridge. On their first visit to the Long Shop they will be performing a mix of customary Christmas songs and traditional carols for you to join in.

Get Christmas off to a fabulous start and into the festive mood. The Long Shop will be adorned and bedecked for a Victorian festive season, why not enter into the spirit and dress in Victorian costume too! Saturday, 1st December 2018 commencing at 6 p.m. Tickets are £12.50 for adults and £7.50 for children under 14, including delicious traditional festive refreshments. Tickets are available from the Museum prior to the event. Some tickets may be available on the night, please call for details.

Framlingham Christmas Tree Festival

St Michael’s Church, Framlingham. 10:30am

Third year running Pop Chorus have been invited back to this annual lovely local festive event.

Entry: Free

Chelsworth Christmas Fair

All Saints Church, Chelsworth. 11am - 4pm

A traditional Christmas Fair in a beautiful medieval church. There will be stalls selling gifts, crafts and foodstuffs as well as second hand books and bric-a-brac. Also a bottle tombola. Seasonal refreshments will be available and there will be a raffle with lovely, luxury Christmas hampers as prizes. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Hadleigh Community Choir. Plenty of free parking a short walk from the church. Chelsworth is a pretty village, alongside the river Brett, on the B1115, between Bildeston and Monks Eleigh. For those wanting a more substantial lunch, our very welcoming village pub, The Peacock Inn, is near to the Church, so why not kick-off your festive season with a visit to Chelsworth - we will be very pleased to see you

Entry: £3 - children free

Contact:01449 744055

www.chelsworth.org.uk

Farmers Markets

Beccles Heliport 9am - 1pm

Snape Maltings 9.30am - 1pm

Wyken Vineyard 9am - 1pm

Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

Carols & Capers: Familiar and not-so-familiar festive fare played on Renaissance, modern and ethnic instruments, and mixed with a refreshing cavalier attitude and plenty of humour.

Tickets: £25.50/£22.50

Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk

Christmas Tea Dance

Britten Studio, Snape Maltings, 2pm

A delightful afternoon of festivities, food, dancing and music. A true community celebration with live music, afternoon tea and an opportunity to waltz, foxtrot and cha-cha-cha.

Tickets: £15

Box Office: 01728 687110

www.snapemaltings.co.uk

Open Session: Uniquiet

Peter Pears Recital Room, 4pm

A new opera by composer John Barber and writer Hazel Gould specifically for teenage audiences (Key Stage 3). Its big operatic themes of love, death, family and revenge will be presented in an intimate setting, inviting audiences to be up close to the voices, characters and story.

Tickets: £6

Box Office: 01728 687110

www.snapemaltings.co.uk

Dec 1 & 2

Jimmy’s Christmas Fayre

Jimmy’s Farm, Wherstead. 10am Sat 1 Dec & 10am-1pm Sun 2 Dec.

Pop Chorus singers perform at Jimmy’s Farm, joining Jimmy and Michaela at the opening both days then around the farm until lunchtime on the Sunday.

December 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16

British Crafts at Blackthorpe Barn

Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham, 10am – 5pm (free after 4pm)

Visitors can meander through the barn and be delighted by the absolute best of our country’s talented artist and skilled crafts makers as they showcase their individually hand-crafted items. The barn is brimming with 100% British items all beautifully created by the exhibitors themselves, this is strict criteria for the crafts makers and that’s why visiting Blackthorpe Barn delivers such a unique experience. It really is the ultimate craft experience, with turned and crafted wooden creations, textile and knitwear garments, artworks and landscapes, ceramics and figurines, metal sculptures, leather goods, contemporary and textured jewellery and so much more. Many exhibitors change each weekend so there are new inspirations for each visit.

December 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 20, 21, 22 & 23

Santa's Magical Grotto and Elf Workshop

Wood Farm Barn, Locks Lane, Benacre, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 7BL

Little Dream Parties have created an exclusive and magical Christmas event for families in East Anglia, being held at the stunning setting of Wood Farm Barn, Benacre, Beccles, Suffolk. Make this Christmas one to remember and come and join the festive fun at the Elf workshops, where the children can write their letter to Santa and deliver it to the head elf! Get a glitter tattoo and balloon model, have fun and play games with the cheeky elves. And of course not forgetting an extra special visit to Santa himself, where the children will receive a special gift. There will be Christmas Stalls for you to browse, hot chocolate to drink while your children enjoy the magic at the Elf Workshop. There will be four workshops per day to choose from all running for 1 hour, including visit to Santa. Please contact Maria on 07516030947 to book your child's place. You can also receive a special, personalised invitation, sent by royal mail, for this event from Santa, for a small extra fee. Tickets are £17 for the first child and £15 for siblings. Limited spaces so booking in advance is essential.

Entry: £17 per child £15 for siblings (adults go free)

Contact:07516030947

DECEMBER 1 TO JANUARY 5

The 14th Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival

The Parish Church, Abbot’s Hall and Stowmarket Library

Spread over three very different venues in the town centre Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival is one of the largest in the country and offers a variety of themes and styles with something to suit all tastes and ages.

www.stowmarketparishchurch.co.uk

December 1 to January 6, 2019

CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION

Thompson’s Gallery, Aldeburgh

We are happy to be showing the South African artist Hennie Niemann Jnr whose cubist observations of the male and female form are very striking and romantic. Hennie is a very well established artist in South Africa and we are thrilled that we are able to offer his work here in the UK. To represent the Scottish aspect of the exhibition, which has long been the backbone of Thompson’s Gallery, is a beautiful landscape by John MacLauchlan Milne to satisfy the 20th Century enthusiast and then there are also paintings Joe Hargan, Robert Kelsey, Ronald Smith and Judith Bridgland to bring us to the contemporary Scottish artists. Also representing the 20th Century is a typical scene by Edward Hornel of girls by the shore and crossing the channel we have a beautiful portrait of Claudine by Marcel Dyf. If you are looking for the more abstract we have a fantastic Terry Frost and also a wonderful Barbara Hepworth. Alongside what has been mentioned above we have a large collection of fantastic paintings and sculptures by contemporary and Modern British artists to fill the gallery with, including sculptures by the Cambridge based artist John Clark who builds people sculptures from paper, resin and wax.

December 1 - February 2

Cinderella

The New Wolsey Theatre

The New Wolsey Theatre’s Rock ’n’ Roll pantomime has become an established Christmas favourite in Suffolk and this year there will be just the 91 magical performances of Cinderella! So it’s time to head Downtown to Ipswich Town Hall to meet the Mayor, Baron Hardup! It’s not easy being Mayor, with Prince Charming due in town for a Royal visit and a staff of only two – his beautiful, feisty daughter, Cinderella and the loyal and loveable Buttons. But when his lonely hearts ad is answered by the mysterious Rubella De Zees, who brings along her two dangerous daughters Hernia and Verruca, it seems he’s far more than Three Steps to Heaven. Thankfully, there’s a Fairy Godmother to make sure Cinderella is ready to Rock Around The Clock!

DECEMBER 2

Woodbridge Street Fair

This year, the fair will be the biggest yet with stalls and local traders along Quay Street, Thoroughfare, Church Street and Cumberland Street in Woodbridge. That's twice the space of previous years. From photographers, chocolatiers, cake makers, soap makers, honey makers and gifts galore the street fair has something for everyone.

Entry: Free

The Saints Festive Street Market

St Peters Street, Ipswich, 10am to 4pm

Enjoy festive crafts and artisan stalls

www.thesaintsipswich.com

Santa’s Christmas Fun Run

Heveningham Hall, 11am

A 5k fun run in the grounds of Heveningham Hall in aid of local charities wWith a Christmas Market from 10am-2pm

www.runheveningham.co.uk

DECEMBER 4

Alexander O’Neal

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

Famed for his R&B smash hit ‘Criticize’, Alexander O'Neal helped create a modern soul style with his gospel singing technique. Equally capable of blasting out funky, up-tempo numbers or delivering tender ballads, Alexander’s voice has matured into a sensational soul and blues sound.

Tickets: £35.50 standing (£36.50 seated)

Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk

DECEMBER 4 TO 7

A Christmas Tale

Seckford Theatre

It’s 1955 and Jack Frost is a grumpy landlord who hates Christmas. His housekeeper asks for Christmas day off, to spend with her family. Much to the annoyance of Frost he grants her the time but tells her to stay late to make up the hours she would miss on Christmas day. Filled with songs suitable for all generations, from Victorian London to the Christmas hits of today, suitable for ages 3 – 93!

Tickets: £15

Box Office: 01473 295900

DECEMBER 5

Hazel O’Connor & Breaking Glass

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7pm

The Film, a Q&A and Live Performance. A very special evening with award-winning singer songwriter Hazel O’Connor, featuring a rare screening of the digitally re-mastered uncut version of the film followed by an intimate Q&A and live performance of some of the films best loved songs.

Tickets: £26

Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk

Jason Manford: Muddle Class

Ipswich Regent, 7.30pm

He’s back! It’s been a busy few years for Jason since his last smash-hit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn’t changed a bit. 'Muddle Class' promises to feature a wealth of new material about Jason growing up ‘working class’ then finding, over the years, that part of him has become ‘middle class’ - causing much confusion!

Tickets: £30

Box Office: 01473 433100

DECEMBER 5 - JANUARY 5

The Fenland Screamers & Other Boggy Tales

Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich

Eastern Angles return for their 30th Christmas show with a madcap spoof on the well-known panto genre. The Fenland Screamers & Other Boggy Tales, from the makers of Stoat Hall and The Mystery of St. Finnigan’s Elbow, is a New Year’s Eve party with a difference. It is December, 30 1930. Young amateur sleuth siblings Sloppy & Sixpence arrive at a remote house in the middle of Clinker Fen, invited by a distant relative to celebrate the New Year. Tempted by the idea of a grand weekend party, they find the place deserted apart from the creepy butler, Tangent. He is expecting them and despite their misgivings, they decide to stay. Other guests arrive, all strangers to one another, and as the fog descends, cutting them off from the outside world, they pass the time by telling stories. It becomes apparent that they all have a guilty secret, and are unnerved when Tangent tells them the local legend of the Fenland Screamers, avenging spirits who emerge from the bogs to drag the guilty back down into the mire. When one of the guests mysteriously disappears, they all begin to fear for their lives. Can Sloppy & Sixpence solve the mystery before the Screamers come again and take them all, one by one? From the sublime to the ridiculous you can expect a quirky quick paced farce punctuated with original catchy songs. Suitable for kids both sides of 40!

Box office: 01473 211498

www.easternangles.co.uk

DECEMBER 6

Open Session: Richard Baker & Timberlake Wertenbaker

Peter Pears Recital Room, 6pm

Composer Richard Baker and playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker work with contralto Hilary Summers and young artists in developing a music theatre piece about the celebrated patron Winnaretta Singer, Princesse Edmond de Polignac. The new piece focuses on the creation of Satie’s opera/cantata Socrate. It aims to explore the allure of patronage, the role of women in creating a space for radical art at the turn of the century, and the appeal of classical texts and subjects for artists/patrons whose sexuality departed from societal norms.

Tickets: £6

Box Office: 01728 687110

www.snapemaltings.co.uk

DECEMBER 7 - 9

The Nutcracker

Snape Maltings

Once again the Co-op Juniors magical new Christmas Spectacular looks certain to raise the roof at Snape Maltings. On stage will be six giant towers of presents, high above a face glows in a magical moon and then a 14-piece orchestra rises out of the floor as 100 performers dance and sing. The ambition of the Co-op Juniors Theatre Company, with a young cast aged from seven through to their twenties, has gone from strength to strength with musical productions such as Starlight Express staged on roller skates in an aircraft hangar, and Barnum staged this summer in a real circus big top.

DECEMBER 7 TO 9

Lavenham Christmas Fair

There will be stalls in the Market Place as well as in the Guild Hall; Little Hall will be packed to its rafters with gorgeous arts and crafts by the Potters and Friends Group, and of course all of the shops, galleries, boutiques, cafes and restaurants will be open.

Lovelavenham.co.uk

DECEMBER 7 - 31

Alice in Wonderland

Avenue Theatre, Ipswich

The Red Rose Chain’s Christmas show, Alice in Wonderland, is guaranteed to take you to a world of magic and mystery. Adapted by Joanna Carrick the audience will follow the White Rabbit into the world of Wonderland as you’ve never seen it before! Featuring the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat and all of your favourites. The company are welcoming back Red Rose Chain well known faces and stars of The Importance of Being Earnest, Lawrence Russell (Mr Tod), Leonie Spilsbury and Laurence Pears (The Magic Fishbone) fresh from his smashing success in Peter Pan Goes Wrong and The Play That Goes Wrong on the West End and his recent run on Broadway. If you enjoyed The Magic Fishbone and were delighted by The Elves & the Shoemaker then Joanna Carrick’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland is bound to please. To make your visit extra-special - Santa Claus is returning to his Grotto every matinee before Christmas Day and there is delicious fresh rustic Pizza on offer before each show. Get ready for a whirlwind adventure of magic, mischief and marvellous new friends this December at The Avenue Theatre in Ipswich!

Box office: 01473 603388

redrosechain.com

December 8

Farmers Markets

Halesworth Produce Market, The Old Print Works 9am - 1pm

Woodbridge Community Centre 9am - 1pm

Wyken Vineyard 9am - 1pm

Tinsel Town

Seckford Theatre, 6.45pm

Bursting with Festive Tales, Jolly Songs and Sparkly Dance. Enjoy the magic that The Theatre Emporium brings to its favourite season – it is sure to leave you feeling Christmassy!

Tickets: £12

Box Office: 01473 295900

Wyevale Christmas

Wyevale Garden Centre, Woodbridge. 1:45pm & 2:30pm.

Pop Chorus are delighted to be invited back to entertain the customers and staff in the run up to Christmas.

Entry: Free

DECEMBER 9

A Christmas Carol

Seckford Theatre, 4.30pm

The perfect start to Christmas - Join us for this solo dramatisation of Charles Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’, adapted and performed by world renowned John Bromley-Davenport for over 30 years.

This acclaimed production has enraptured audiences on both sides of the Atlantic being performed in the UK and America. John uses the power of the language, the humour, the pathos and the joy to great effect to delight audiences.

All proceeds go to Ormiston Families.

Tickets: £25

Box Office: 01473 705040

www.ormiston.org/events/

Suffolk Soul Singers Festive Season Concert

St. Peter's by the Waterfront, Ipswich @ 3.00pm

Building on the success of previous years, Suffolk Soul Singers, the local community choir led by Andi Hopgood, return to St. Peter's by Waterfront for a fourth festive season concert. You'll be guaranteed a great mix of uplifting soul and gospel classics, sung with energy and passion, plus our unique, soulful arrangements of a couple of Christmas songs, perfect for getting you in the groove for the festive season.You will also be helping to support our chosen charities for the year – Suffolk-based ‘Musica’ and the national charity, ‘Dogs for Good.’

Boyface And The Christmas Jumper

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 2pm

Based on James Campbell's books, this is a deliciously silly and wonderfully festive piece of musical theatre for children and their families. Boyface is a boy like any other boy but more so. And this Christmas, something terrible has happened. His best friend Clootie has been kidnapped by Weird Clown Boy and the only way the Antelope Family can get her back is by creating the most amazing Christmas Jumper that anyone has ever seen. Fortunately, they can use the Quantum Chromatic Disruption Machine but what else could possibly go wrong?

Tickets: £7.50 (£6.50 concessions)

Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk

DECEMBER 10

The Lock In ‘Christmas Carol’

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

Half gig, half dance show and half panto! It’s Christmas Eve and the regulars of The Olde Fighting Cocks are excited about the night ahead, it’s going to be the Folk & Hip Hop dance party of the year.

Featuring ‘folk powerhouse’ The Demon Barbers; artists from Breaking Tradition Dance Company; a new seasonal repertoire and a ‘slightly unhinged’ approach to their family friendly stage shows, they are ‘guaranteed to raise weary spirits and send an audience home smiling’! (The Telegraph).

Tickets: £19

Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk

DECEMBER 10 TO 23

Christmas Market, Cornhill, Ipswich

The Cornhill will become the proud home of a Christmas craft fair. Run by Eden Crafts, shoppers will be met by a superb selection of seasonal trinkets, all located on the stunning new Cornhill. Traders will be offering a wide variety of local arts, crafts, gifts and jewellery.

DECEMBER 11

Let’s Twist Again

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

Critically acclaimed artistes and musicians deliver a show that combines fun and laughter with the greatest hits of Elvis, Dusty, Lulu, The Beatles, Sandie Shaw, The Drifters, Frankie Valli, Cilla, Grease and many more.

Tickets: £24.50

Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk

DECEMBER 11, 12 AND 13

SOUNDS LIKE CHRISTMAS

St Peters by the Waterfront, Ipswich, 7.30pm

An evening of festive musical treats accompanied by a live band. Following their extremely successful Summer production of ‘My Fair Lady’, IODS Theatre Company are very pleased to present 'Sounds Like Christmas'. Full of festive musical treats and supported by a live band, this choral evening is sure to fill you with Christmas spirit.

Tickets: £12.50 advance, £15 on the door

Box Office: www.wolseytheatre.co.uk or call 01473 295900

£12.50 advance£15 on the door

December 12

A Christmas Carol by John Bromley-Davenport

Seckford Theatre Burkitt Road Woodbridge IP12 4JH Doors open: 4.30pm

The perfect start to Christmas – Join us for this solo dramatisation of Charles Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’, adapted and performed by world renowned John Bromley-Davenport for over 30 years.

This acclaimed production has enraptured audiences on both sides of the Atlantic being performed in the uK and America. John uses the power of the language, the humour, the pathos and the joy to great effect to delight audiences.

Joe Stilgoe & his Mighty Big Band

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

Joe will play classics from the likes of Cole Porter and Louis Prima, plus hits from his five critically lauded albums, three of which have topped the UK Jazz Chart. Expect a mixture of virtuosic musicianship, breath-taking theatricality and interaction with the audience, combining on the spot improvisation and the quickest of wits. “Musical virtuosity with a swashbuckling stage presence” (The Guardian).

Tickets: £25

Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk

Carol Concert

A carol concert, arranged by the East of England Co-op Funeral Services, the concert will be led by Paul Bowen and will feature the East of England Co-op Brass Band and Pop Chorus. The carol concert is free to attend however places must be booked in advance. To book your place call 01473 466321.

Entry: Free

Contact: 01473 466321

DECEMBER 12 - 16

The Little Prince

Dance East, Ipswich

This year for Christmas, DanceEast has co-commissioned alongside The Place, a premiere from Luca Silvestrini’s Protein, to re-create the well-known story; The Little Prince. This unique reformation of The Little Prince aims to challenge audiences of all ages to view the world through their hearts and reconnect with the child that’s in us all. The story is retold by four dancers using Luca Silvestrini’s trademark style, theatre and music, that is set to engage audiences on a variety of levels. While The Little Prince is billed as a family show, it also has a wide appeal to those who remember the story from their childhood. Luca Silvestrini, Artistic Director, Protein says “I wish to stage a magical, entertaining yet meaningful and poignant story about love, friendship and loss, about children versus adults, about the things that really count in life against the materialistic, calculated and serious world of the grown-ups. The story discloses important messages such as ‘what’s important is invisible to the eye’, and ‘you are responsible for what you have tamed’.” In addition to the eight performances at the Jerwood DanceHouse, Protein will also be holding a workshop for children aged 7 – 11 years at DanceEast on December 8.

INFORMATION

Box Office: 01473 295230

danceeast.co.uk

DECEMBER 13

An Evening of Eric & Ern at Christmas

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

With Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel, the Olivier nominated duo behind the celebrated and critically acclaimed West End hit ‘Eric & Little Ern’. Crammed full of renditions of famous comedy sketches, from Greig's Piano concerto to Mr Memory, "Arsenal!" this is a show full of Morecambe and Wise's most loved routines, songs and sketches, evoking memories of times when whole families would huddle around the telly to watch those fantastic Christmas specials.

Tickets: £23

Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk

Carol Concert

St Peter and St Mary Church, Station Road West, IP14 1NE. 7.30pm

A carol service in Stowmarket, arranged by the East of England Co-op Funeral Services, the service will be led by Reverend Michael Eden and will feature the Co-op Singers & Wattisham Military Wives Choir. The carol service is free to attend however places must be booked in advance. To book your place call 01449 709860.

Entry: Free

Contact: 01449 709860

DECEMBER 14 TO JANUARY 2

Snow White

Ipswich Regent

Mirror, mirror on the wall... Who's the fairest of them all? Welcome to the most magical pantomime ever told, where poor Snow White is doomed to live UN-happily ever after...with her horrid stepmother the Wicked Queen. From the same team behind last year's hilarious production of Jack and the Beanstalk, The Ipswich Regent Theatre have once again teamed up with Enchanted Entertainment to bring you the region's biggest Christmas show! In a true rags to riches story Snow White manages, with the help of her ‘madcap' friend Muddles the Jester, to meet a handsome Prince and make all her dreams come true. A pantomime full of excitement, including a Good Fairy, a Magic Mirror and the craziest Seven Dwarfs you've ever seen! So come and join in the festive fun as the Regent Theatre and Enchanted Entertainment bring the world's best known and most loved pantomime to life. A show bursting with great songs, fantastic dance routines and plenty of laughter, this is a tremendous treat for all the family you won't want to miss. Hi Ho... Hi Ho... It's off to panto we go!

Box Office: 01473 433100

Ipswichregent.com

DECEMBER 15

Farmers Markets

Aldeburgh Church Hall, 9am - 12 noon

Beccles Heliport 9am - Ipm

Long Melford Village Memorial Hall, 10am -1pm

Wyken Vineyard 9am -1pm

Open Sessions: Indus

Britten Studio, 4pm

Indus is a music theatre piece exploring, ability, disability, and the idea that when one sense is impaired others grow stronger, including the most vital senses of emotional intelligence and empathy. The piece is set 48 million years ago in what is now modern Kashmir, India. It follows story of Indus the first Indohyus, a prehistoric pig/deer-like creature, to return into the water and eventually evolve into a whale.

DECEMBER 16

DECEMBER 18

The Sweet

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

Blockbuster Glam Christmas Party! The Sweet became one of the biggest bands of the 1970s and were the quintessential glam rockers who brought androgynous looks and crunching guitar pop to the masses. Pop hits like ‘Fox On The Run’, ‘Love Is Like Oxygen’, ‘Little Willy’ and ‘Wig-Wam Bam’, were countered by harder rock songs, such as ‘Blockbuster’, ‘Ballroom Blitz’, ‘Hell Raiser’ and ‘Teenage Rampage’. You may remember Tia Carrere’s version of ‘Ballroom Blitz’ in Wayne’s World, while The Sweet’s version was used to promote the film Suicide Squad in 2016. The use of 'Fox On The Run' in the trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (also in 2016) led to the song reaching number one on the iTunes Rock Chart.

Tickets: £21 standing (£23.50 seated)

Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk

Christmas Carols at The Red House

The Red House, Aldeburgh, 2pm

A sing-a-long of Christmas carols in the run-up to the festive season. Weather permitting the event will be in the courtyard at The Red House, so wrap up well! Warm up afterwards with mulled wine and mince pies in Reception.

Entry: free

DECEMBER 18 TO 23

Art & Design Fair

The Stable, Hall Farm,Saxmundham rd, Aldeburgh IP15 5JD

A selection of contemporary work from local makers & artists ranging from jewellery, ceramic, print, bag & homewares. Perfect hand made gifts for that last minute xmas present.

Entry: free

Contact: 07484 850963

Chrissy at Christmas

Aldeburgh parish church

International vocal sensation and classical chart topper Chrissy Johnston is returning to her home county, Suffolk to sing to you and bring you the magic of Christmas. Featuring movie classics and Christmas favourite Classics and guest star Geoff Lavery will be bringing you into Christmas all in aid of The Sick Children’s Trust!

DECEMBER 19

Jazz at The Movies

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

Refreshed and revitalised, A Swinging Christmas 2018 gets jazzy with a stocking-full of 20th century holiday classics and curiosities. This seasonal show regularly sells-out Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and features acclaimed singer Joanna Eden ("the UK's answer to Norah Jones and Diana Krall" - Time Out) and the groovy sounds of the Chris Ingham Quartet. With material ranging from Bond to Bacharach, Dankworth to Disney and Porter to Pinter, Jazz At The Movies is an enchanting, entertaining show, rich with anecdote, sophistication and swing.

Dr Feelgood

Venue 77, Ipswich, 7.30pm

Stephen Foster and Venue 77 are delighted to present Ipswich's annual festive gig by the legendary Dr Feelgood. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the UK’s best rocking rhythm and blues band coming to town. Opening for the Feelgoods will be Suffolk's leading rock 'n' roll combo J.S. and the Lockerbillies.

Tickets: £19.50

Box Office: 01473 433100

DECEMBER 21

Father Christmas sails into Snape Maltings

Snape Maltings, 12.15pm

Bring the whole family to Snape for this wonderful festive spectacle as Father Christmas arrives at Snape Maltings by historic Thames sailing barge. After arriving at the quay at Snape Maltings, Father Christmas will make his way to House and Garden where there will be the opportunity for children to meet him.

www.snapemaltings.co.uk

Handel’s Messiah

Snape Maltings Concert Hall, 7.30pm

We open our Christmas Weekend with Handel’s rousing and uplifting oratorio, a cornerstone of the festive season. So hotly anticipated at its first performance that to increase capacity women were asked to wear dresses ‘without hoops’ and men not to wear their swords, Messiah remains one of the most popular works ever written. Come and enjoy it in the company of the hand-picked musicians of the Suffolk Ensemble, Aldeburgh Voices and soloists from the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme.

DECEMBER 21 TO JANUARY 6

Sleeping Beauty

Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe

The Spa is opening its doors once again to the Dennis Lowe Theatre Company as they bring the story of Sleeping Beauty alive this Christmas. Families from all over Suffolk will be entertained and enthralled with this all-new version of a classic tale of devilment and derring-do. Lashings of laughter, frantic frivolity, gorgeously glittering costumes, a spectacular set, and plenty of ‘he’s behind you,’ will make the 53rd Pantomime a memorable outing for everyone. To make it as affordable as possible tickets are held at 2017 prices from just £11.50!

spapavilion.uk

DECEMBER 22

Farmers Markets

Snape Maltings 9.30am

Woodbridge Community Centre 9am -1pm

Wyken Vineyard 9am - 1pm

Cara Dillon: Upon a Winter’s Night

Snape Maltings Concert Hall, 7.30pm

One of Ireland’s most celebrated folk voices, Cara Dillon captures the mystery of Christmas with a collection of songs ranging from the ancient to the contemporary. Alongside the purity of Dillon’s vocals, her band weaves an array of Celtic and folk rhythms.

Tickets: £25

Box Office: 01728 687110

www.snapemaltings.co.uk

DECEMBER 23

Farmers Markets

Lavenham Village Hall 10am - 1.30pm

The Snowman and Babar the Little Elephant

Snape Maltings Concert Hall, 1.30pm & 4pm

The Snowman has been essential seasonal TV viewing for nearly four Decemberades. But experiencing it on Snape Maltings’ big screen to the accompaniment of live orchestra adds a special magic. Poulenc’s charming piece is composed after a famous French children’s book. Narrated by the voice of BBC Radio 4 news, Zeb Soanes, it is accompanied by projections of Jean de Brunhoff’s beautiful original 1930 illustrations.

Tickets: £15

Tickets: £25

Box Office: 01728 687110

www.snapemaltings.co.uk

DECEMBER 25

Christmas Day Dip

Felixstowe Seafront (in front of Mannings Amusements), 10am

The 15th annual Christmas Day Dip in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice will take place on Felixstowe seafront. It’s fun, a great way to start your day and helps the hospice care for patients 365 days of the year. Entry is just £8 if booked before midnight on Friday 16 November and then £13 until registration closes at midday on Thursday December 20.

www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/event/christmas-day-dip

DECEMBER 27 - 30

A Crag Path Christmas

Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh

A cast of West End performers will be celebrating the rich heritage of Aldeburgh this Christmas in a festive production at the Jubilee Hall. Written and directed by Nick Hutchison, a resident of Suffolk whose work includes film, television, theatre and radio for the BBC, Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre, A Crag Path Christmas revels in the reincarnation of Charles Dickens’ ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Suitable for ages four to 104, theatre-goers to the production will be encouraged to donate to the Save Our Suffolk Estuary campaign at the end of each performance, with fundraising collection buckets in the Jubilee Hall.

www.aldeburghjubileehall.co.uk

DECEMBER 30 TO JANUARY 2

A Christmas Carol

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds,

CTC proudly presents a musical version of the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. With an infuriated "Bah! Humbug!" Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he's forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present and Future.

Tickets: £24

Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk

DECEMBER 31

The Snowman and Babar The Elephant

Snape Maltings

The charming Christmas classic, The Snowman is being performed with a live orchestra in a double bill with Poulenc's 'Babar the Little Elephant' this year. Narrated by BBC Radio 4’s Zeb Soanes and conducted by Ben Parry The Suffolk Ensemble are presenting The Story of Babar the Little Elephant with original illustrations and The Snowman with a film.